The Good Life Podcast Episode on Thinning Hair for Women
Dr. Alan Bauman is one of only 200 doctors in the world to hold a certification from the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHS). He runs Bauman Medical, which has treated 34,000 patients. He is known for his specialty in hair transplantation, and about 40% of his patients are women. In this episode Dr. Bauman tells us what causes hair loss in women and how to address it.
“For women, if you go get a blowout or you get your hair done, you feel like you can take on the world … hair is sooo personal, it makes somebody feel good about themselves, there’s a vulnerability that occurs … it would be helpful to understand hair.” - Michele Lemoureux on The Good Life
Female Pattern Hair Loss Is Not Taken Seriously or Understood As Well
The first thing women notice is not bald spots, but overall thinning of hair (less thickness, smaller ponytail). Most people go to their dermatologist when they have hair loss, but dermatologists are not necessarily sensitive to spotting the overall thinning in hair that marks the beginning of hair loss for women. Dermatologists are not experts in hair loss/restoration - doctors with the ABHS certification do. They have access to tools and experience that allows them to give better diagnoses and to understand and track results.
There are many contributors to hair loss, and it’s important to understand cause in order to really address:
Here’s What You’ll Learn..
Dr. Bauman shares the major things you should be aware of, but to get the details and better understand the science and data, listen to the episode.
The Most Important Thing: Take Action Early. If You’re Noticing Hair Loss Or Thinning: Don’t wait to address it. “Time is follicles,” he says.
Pulling and Tugging While Blow Drying, Tight Braids, Hair Extensions. Can be a risk factor for some people because repeated pulling out, damaging or plucking degrades hair.
Coloring Your Hair. He will never say that women should stop coloring their hair but take the time to notice if there is any irritation to your scalp. And you may want to speak with your colorist about whether she or he is using treatments that are as sensitive as possible to the scalp.
You Can Protect the Hair You Have. Note that hair loss is a chronic and progressive condition, so any therapy treatment needs to be continued over time. But start now because at the very least you can protect what you have.
Make Sure You Have a Healthy Diet. Get enough protein and nutrients; many people lose hair when they begin a calorie-restrictive diet (such as, they start on a GLP-1).
Supplements And Nutraceuticals Are Effective for Hair Growth. B vitamins (biotin) are important to hair growth, certain nutraceuticals help with stress.
Medications and Lasers Help with Hair Growth. He’s an advocate of minoxidil (a hair growth stimulant) for women; there are at-home lasers that help with hair retention.
The Good Life Host Michele Lamoureux Talks with Dr. Alan Bauman Episode 325.
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